The victims of 2010 flood disaster in Sokoto state yesterday took to the street, demanding an investigation into the billions of Naira allegedly donated to them by the federal government and other donors.
The protesters comprising women and children who stormed the site for the 400 housing units meant for the victims in Goronyo local government area wanted to know why the project had been abandoned since despite the huge donations received on their behalf.
Our reporter who was at the site on Thursday observed that out of the 400 houses only about 200 were completed.
Some of their placards read "the contractor must come back to site now", " Wamakko must return our money".
Speaking to Newsmen, the spokesman of the demonstrators, Malam Aliyu Bako, called on the government to come to their aid as many of the victims were still homeless.
"In 2015 Wamakko misled the Sultan into commissioning what he had not completed and four people were presented with the certificates of Occupancy which were later withdrawn by his government," he said.
Baki added that the government had received much support from various organisations within and outside the country on behalf of the victims, alleging that most were not used for the purposes they were meant for and that no explanation provided.
"We are however, appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter," he said
One of the elders of the community, Malam Muhammadu Madawaki called on government to thoroughly investigate the matter as report at their disposal indicated that the contractor was fully paid before abandoning the project.
Reacting to the protest, former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko said his government had spent N3.8 billion in building 1000 houses for the 2010 victims of flood in the state.
A statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity Bashir Mani said under the largesse, Goronyo ( Goronyo town ), Gada ( Tsaro) and Silame ( Sabon garin Alu), local governments got 400, 350 and 250 out of the houses, respectively.
The houses which were completed and duly commissioned were provided with schools,play grounds, clinics, police outposts , mosques, primary and Islamiyya schools, along other necessary facilities.
It is noteworthy here that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as the former Governor of the state had never abandoned the 2010 flood victims, just as the houses were logically started, completed and commissioned.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
